Ramirez-Dogboe, Zayas-Cruz: Official For April 1, Arduous Rock Resort & On line casino Tulsa

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy “El Tren” Ramírez will lock horns with Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe in a 12-round showdown for the vacant interim WBO featherweight world title Saturday, April 1, at Arduous Rock Resort & On line casino Tulsa.

Within the eight-round co-feature, Puerto Rican sensation Xander Zayas appears to be like to increase his unbeaten document towards nine-year veteran Ronald “Diablo” Cruz.

Ramirez-Dogboe and Zayas-Cruz headlines a packed card streaming stay and solely within the U.S. on ESPN+.

“We now have seen Robeisy Ramirez develop from a adorned Olympian to a younger man on the verge of stardom. Isaac Dogboe isn’t any pushover and represents the hardest check of Ramirez’s profession. I anticipate an thrilling, dramatic battle for the good followers in Tulsa,” stated High Rank chairman Bob Arum. “2023 shall be an enormous yr for Xander Zayas, a famous person within the making who I imagine shall be Puerto Rico’s subsequent champion.”

Ramirez (11-1, 7 KOs), from Cienfuegos, Cuba, went from dropping his professional debut in August 2019 to one of many division’s high contenders in 2023. Ranked No. 3 by the WBO, Ramirez had a breakthrough in 2022, knocking out Irishman Eric Donovan, the beforehand unbeaten Abraham Nova, and Argentinean contender Jose Matias Romero. Ramirez has knocked out 5 of his previous six foes, a shocking energy surge he hopes carries over to The Sooner State. He’s thought of one of many biggest boxers ever to emerge from the famed Cuban beginner system and seeks to creator a career-best victory in Tulsa.

“I’ve been boxing for greater than 20 years and have been a fighter each step of the way in which,” Ramirez stated. “I by no means forgot the place I got here from, however I refuse to outline myself by previous accomplishments. Even after successful my second Olympic gold medal, I endured hardships. I embraced the challenges forward of me and know that my biggest exams and most important accomplishments in boxing are nonetheless forward of me.

“On April 1, I’ll enter the ring with the starvation that has introduced me right here and the starvation that comes with figuring out that there’s nonetheless a lot to attain. That is only the start for Robeisy ‘El Tren’ Ramírez.”

Dogboe (24-2, 15 KOs) has a speedy championship rise at junior featherweight, however he misplaced his title and profession momentum with back-to-back defeats to Emanuel Navarrete. He overhauled his camp following the Navarrete losses, linking up with adorned coach Barry Hunter at Headbangers Boxing Fitness center in Washington, D.C. The Dogboe/Hunter partnership has resulted in 4 consecutive victories, together with majority choices over Adam Lopez and Christopher Diaz. He earned a shot on the interim title with final July’s break up resolution over Joet Gonzalez, a toe-to-toe battle in Hinckley, Minnesota, that ranked among the many yr’s finest motion fights. Dogboe, from Anyako, Ghana, represented his homeland on the 2012 London Olympics and spent a lot of his childhood in London.

“Almost 5 years in the past, I grew to become the WBO junior featherweight champion of the world, to the shock of many individuals. On April 1, I shall be topped a two-time, two-division champion,” Dogboe stated. “Ramirez is an effective fighter, and I commend him for his achievements. I’ve waited patiently for this chance, and I wish to thank Bob Arum and the High Rank household for being good to me over time. My workforce and I are getting ready for this life-changing alternative. God Bless all of the boxing followers and boxing fans for his or her steady help.”

The 20-year-old Zayas (15-0, 10 KOs), from San Juan, has been ticketed for stardom since signing with High Rank at 16. He broke by way of in 2021 with six victories, establishing a 2022 that noticed him graduate to eight-rounders. Zayas shut out Louisiana’s Quincy LaVallais over eight rounds, knocked out the sturdy Elias Espadas in 5, and made a “Heisman Evening” assertion in December with a near-shutout resolution over Alexis Salazar. Zayas’ street to competition continues towards Cruz (18-2-1, 12, KOs), a Los Angeles native who has by no means been knocked out as a professional. Cruz went 10 aggressive rounds with Damian Sosa final August, dropping a unanimous resolution.

Zayas stated, “2023 goes to be massive for my profession. I am going into the brand new yr with all the ability and the mindset wanted to make a reputation for myself within the division. I am locked in. Laser centered. All of it begins on April 1 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I am very excited to be on this card since I am going to have the chance to showcase my abilities because the co-feature on ESPN+. This time, I will be preventing towards a worthy Mexican opponent, and I am planning to placed on a present for all of the boxing followers.”

Undercard bouts, additionally streaming stay and solely on ESPN+, embrace:

    In an eight-round grudge match, Jahi Tucker (9-0, 5 KOs) will make his junior middleweight debut towards Nikoloz Sekhniashvili (8-1, 6 KOs). Tucker referred to as for a battle towards Zayas, however he should first face Zayas’ coaching accomplice, a former beginner standout from the nation of Georgia. Sekhniashvili returned from a 15-month layoff final November to cease the beforehand unbeaten David Rodriguez in three rounds. 

“I’m excited to be preventing on a High Rank card once more, this time towards an undefeated fighter,” Sekhniashvili stated. “I do know Jahi goes to run and likes to make use of his mouth greater than his arms. He’ll attempt to keep away from me, however as soon as I make contact, he’ll decelerate immediately. I can not wait till April 1.”

Tucker stated, “Nikoloz goes to be straightforward work. After I get completed with him, I wish to battle Xander.”

    Two-time world title challenger Joet Gonzalez (25-3, 13 KOs), from Glendora, California returns towards Mexican veteran Jose Enrique Vivas (22-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight firefight. Gonzalez appears to be like to rebound from final July’s tight break up resolution defeat to Dogboe. Regardless of the Dobgoe setback, Gonzalez remains to be ranked within the high 10 of the WBC and WBO featherweight rankings. Vivas stored his title hopes alive final August with a break up resolution over Edy Valencia.

     

    Junior welterweight phenom Tiger Johnson (7-0, 5 KOs), who represented the U.S. on the Tokyo Olympics, fights in his first second scheduled eight-rounder towards an opponent to be named. Johnson stopped Harry Gigliotti in 5 rounds at Arduous Rock Tulsa final August.

     

    Tulsa-born heavyweight prospect Jeremiah Milton (8-0, 6 KOs) returns house towards an opponent to be named. Milton has fought in Tulsa 3 times a professional, securing two first-round knockouts and a second-round stoppage.

     

    Cleveland-born light-weight Abdullah Mason (6-0, 5 KOs) makes his 2023 debut in a six-rounder. Mason fought at Arduous Rock Tulsa final August, outlasting the sport Angel Rebollar en path to a four-round resolution win.

     

    Mild heavyweight prospect Dante Benjamin Jr. (5-0, 3 KOs), from Cleveland, goals to proceed his knockout momentum in a six-rounder. Benjamin opened his 2023 marketing campaign Jan. 14 with a first-round stoppage over Emmanueal Austin.